Retrospective analysis of electrocardiographic examination in Common Green Iguana (Iguana iguana) treated at CETRAS Tangara, Pernambuco

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26605/medvet-v19n3-7247

Keywords:

imaging diagnosis, reptiles, cardiology, eletrocardiogram

Abstract

One of the main problems encountered when carrying out electrocardiogram (ECG) exams in reptiles is the low electrical amplitude of electrocardiographic events, making their interpretation difficult. Therefore, the positioning of the electrodes is extremely important to obtain better recordings for diagnostic purposes. The aim of this study was to conduct a retrospective analysis of electrocardiographic examinations performed on Common Green Iguanas treated in 2022 at the Pernambuco Wildlife Triage and Rehabilitation Center (CETRAS Tangara), to describe and compare the electrode placement techniques used to obtain the tracings, and to evaluate the central tendency measures of the electrocardiographic parameters. Electrocardiograms (ECGs) were conducted on eight free-living adult green iguanas (Iguana iguana) using three distinct electrode placements on each specimen, allowing for the identification of the optimal method to obtain diagnostically valid tracings while minimizing stress. The electrocardiographic tracing acquisition protocol that proved to be most applicable in practice occurred when the iguana was in prone position, with the electrodes placed in the cervical region and right and left axillary regions, allowing better detection of electrocardiographic events with a lower degree of interference while minimizing stress. The standardization of this method of collecting electrocardiographic information in iguanas will allow obtaining better quality tracings, favoring the interpretation of findings and the clinical applicability of this test in this species.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Almeida, D.; Wendt-Hornickle, E.; Kennedy, M. Snake sedation and anesthesia. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice, 25(1): 97-112, 2022.

Aguilar, L.A.B. et al. Effect of positioning on coelomic radiography with and without contrast in the green iguana (Iguana iguana). Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery, (31)1: 73-81, 2021.

Bauer, A.; Bauer, G. Squamata – Sauria (Iguana e Lagartos). In: Cubas, Z.S.; Silva, J.C.R.; Catão-Dias, J.L. Tratado de animais selvagens: Medicina Veterinária. 2a ed. São Paulo: Roca, 2014. p.170-185.

Campos, Z. Embrapa Pantanal. Estudo das iguanas no Pantanal. ADM – Artigo de Divulgação na Mídia, Corumbá-MS, 67: 1-2, 2004.

Gonçalves, I.M. Padronização de parâmetros cardíacos em Pogona vitticeps, com recurso a ecocardiografia. Dissertação de mestrado. Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Lisboa, 2018.

Hunt, C. Electrocardiography of the normal inland Bearded dragon (Pogona vitticepts). Thesis. Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, 2013. 42p.

Lewis, M.; Bouvard, J.; Eatwell, K.; Culshaw, G. Standardization of electrocardiographic examination in corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus). Veterinary Record, (19)186: e29, 2020.

Lima, D.J.S. Parâmetros hematológicos, bioquímicos e eletrocardiográficos de Iguana iguana (Reptilia, Squamata e Iguanidae) de vida livre, na região urbana de Santarém, Pará, Brasil. Tese de doutorado. Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia, Medicina Veterinária, Belém, 2020.

Martinez-Silvestre, A.; Mateo, J. A.; Pether, J. Electrocardiographic parameters in the Gomeran giant lizard, Gallotia bravoana. Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery, (13)3: 22-25, 2003.

Massari, C.H.A.L. et al. Anatomia cardíaca aplicada à medicina veterinária [recurso eletrônico]. São Paulo: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia. Universidade de São Paulo, 2019. 2,8 MB: eBook

Music, M.K; Strunk, A. Reptile critical care and common emergencies. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice, 19(2): 591-612, 2016.

Schilliger, L.; Girling, S. Cardiology. In: Divers, S.; Stahl, S. Mader’s reptile and amphibian medicine and surgery. St Louis: Elsevier, 2019. p.669–698.

Schilliger, L. Heart diseases in reptiles: diagnosis and therapy. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice, 25(2): 383-407, 2022.

Schoemaker, N.J.; Zandvliet, M. Electrocardiograms in selected species. Seminars in Avian and Exotic Pet Medicine, 14(1): 26-33, 2005.

Published

2025-12-26

How to Cite

Cândido, A. P. . C., Santos, P. R. de S., Oliveira, A. S. de, Rocha, J. A. . da S., Reis, A. C., Silva, L. T. R. da, … Costa, F. S. (2025). Retrospective analysis of electrocardiographic examination in Common Green Iguana (Iguana iguana) treated at CETRAS Tangara, Pernambuco. Medicina Veterinária, 19(3), 217–222. https://doi.org/10.26605/medvet-v19n3-7247

Similar Articles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.

Most read articles by the same author(s)